The Week Goes On

Yesterday at Discussion Group the kids had a great time.  Ahead of time we watched the movie Oliver (the 1968 version - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063385).  Then they answered a series of questions that one of the moms put together.  Some examples:
Background Questions:
What is the movie based on? Who wrote the book? What famous Christmas Story did he write?  When is the movie set?

Things to pay attention to during the movie:
What does the sign say behind the boys in the workhouse scene?
How was color used in the movie?
What do the owl and the dog symbolize?
An example of irony or contradiction during the movie?

After the movie:
Which characters are the most well developed?  Write a back story for one or more of the following character: Fagin, Nancy, The Artful Dodger, Oliver's Mother.

When we all got together we started off with a brief history overview of the period of time in the movie, the creation of the water closet and where the sewage was draining too (The Thames River) and how that water was used for washing and drinking (universal "Gross!").  How the homes in London were built creating the warren of alleyways.  Then we showed a pic of cute and clean Oliver from the movie and a couple of pics of what the workhouse kids really looked like (Shock and surprise) which led to a brief talk about how you can't always trust what you see.  Looks can be deceiving.

Then we got into the movie.  Some great observations: Workhouse was dull and gray.  Colors were bright and popped when the food showed up. Where Fagin and his group lived-dull and dreary.  When Oliver wakes up in his Great Uncle's house the room is washed out.  He opens the window to a world alive with color (aka The Wizard of Oz).  The Dog-Bulls eye.  The symbolism of how he leads them to Bill Sykes.  The Owl-none of us knew the answer but some of the kids said; The owl shows the wisdom of hiding his stuff.  He was there to guard the box.  Fagin just needed someone to talk to who wouldn't talk.

We talked a bit about Nancy and staying in an abusive relationship.  Drove home to them that staying with someone just because they need you is not the same as love and is not a healthy relationship.

The group really enjoyed the movie and the discussion.

Today Mister B got himself a job.  We were out walking the dog this morning and we came upon an elderly lady doing some gardening.  We exchanged good mornings.  Talked a bit about the garden and then she asked if I knew anyone who would be interested in helping her mow her lawn with her reel mower.  Mister B said he would help.  So, I stayed a bit to chat with the lady and make sure all was okay and then left Mister B there and continued on my walk with the dog.  He mowed her front lawn and her back lawn and helped her do a little weeding.  He was happy to help.  When he was done she told him she wanted to pay him.  He didn't know what to ask for so he said $10.  She gave him $2 extra dollars for the good conversation.  He was thrilled to earn some money since he was willing to do it for free.  He will do this for her every 2 weeks.  She also offered to pay him to shovel her walk in the winter.  I told him we will see about that one because he is usually pretty tired after doing our walk. 

As he told his friend today: Homeschooling is awesome.  If he had been in school this morning he would not have gotten this job.